Henderson County unemployment rate jumps

From staff reports

Published: Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 10:27 p.m.

The unemployment rate for Henderson County jumped from 6.7 percent in November to 7.2 percent in December, but is still lower than December 2011 when the rate hit 7.8 percent, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Polk and Transylvania also increased significantly, the department said in a news release.

The three counties are not alone, as rates increased for 97 of North Carolina's 100 counties in December. The statewide rate, not seasonally adjusted, was 9.5 percent in December.

Polk County's unemployment rate increased to 7.8 percent in December, 0.6 percent higher than the previous month. The county's December 2011 numbers were 0.4 higher than it was one year later.

In Transylvania County, unemployment rates edged past the 10 percent mark by 0.1 percent in December, compared to November's 9.3 unemployment rate. The county December 2011 unemployment rate was 10.9.

<p>The unemployment rate for Henderson County jumped from 6.7 percent in November to 7.2 percent in December, but is still lower than December 2011 when the rate hit 7.8 percent, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce. </p><p>Polk and Transylvania also increased significantly, the department said in a news release. </p><p>The three counties are not alone, as rates increased for 97 of North Carolina's 100 counties in December. The statewide rate, not seasonally adjusted, was 9.5 percent in December.</p><p>Polk County's unemployment rate increased to 7.8 percent in December, 0.6 percent higher than the previous month. The county's December 2011 numbers were 0.4 higher than it was one year later.</p><p>In Transylvania County, unemployment rates edged past the 10 percent mark by 0.1 percent in December, compared to November's 9.3 unemployment rate. The county December 2011 unemployment rate was 10.9.</p>